Shenzhen badminton centre owner allegedly defrauds parents of over 2 million yuan

8th March 2025 – (Shenzhen) Reports from local media indicate that the owner of a badminton centre in Bao’an District, Shenzhen, has gone missing after allegedly borrowing over 2 million yuan (approximately HK$2,140,000) from parents of students under various pretences, such as family illness and facility expansion. Parents have since reported the matter to the police, prompting an investigation by the local authorities.

The centre, run by a 45-year-old man named Wu, has reportedly been vacant for about a week, with all equipment removed and the premises left in disarray. Wu had been instructing children aged 5 to 16 and charged 6,800 yuan (around HK$7,290) for a series of 50 lessons in small group settings. According to the training programme’s guidelines, all courses were eligible for refunds at any stage without the need for justification.

Victims of this incident include both adult students and the parents of younger participants, with at least 137 adults and 252 parents affected. Reports suggest that some individuals had loans amounting to as much as 150,000 yuan (approximately HK$160,200) borrowed from Wu.